Chemical distribution system for floor cleaning machine

ABSTRACT

A chemical distribution system for a floor cleaning machine is described. The system utilizes at least one container that is selectively connected to a pump that pumps a cleaning chemical solution from the container into a tee for combining with a fluid from an onboard fluid tank at a rate determined by a machine operator. Chemical containers may be readily and interchangeably connected to the pump to permit various solutions to be selectively utilized to optimize floor cleaning.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/275,621, filed Aug. 31, 2009, under 35 U.S.C. §111(b), which application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for using a cleaning chemical with a floor cleaning machine and a method of distributing cleaning chemicals from the machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Floor cleaning machines, which include scrubbers, are well-known devices utilized for cleaning and maintaining floor surfaces. Generally, there are two types of scrubbers, both of which distribute water, or a cleaning fluid solution, on a floor where it can be worked by brushes or pads to clean the floor.

Typically, in a first type of scrubber an operator simply adds a cleaning chemical to a fluid, for example, clean water, that is in an onboard fluid tank. The operator meters a predetermined amount of the cleaning chemical into a measuring device, such as a measuring cup, and then pours the cleaning chemical into the onboard fluid tank which results in a cleaning fluid. Often the rate at which the machine draws the cleaning chemical out of the onboard fluid tank is varied by the operator.

However, various floors and surfaces have different physical characteristics that require them to be cleaned with different cleaning fluids or approaches. Further, the various floors and surfaces are subject to different kinds and amounts of debris and dirt. Consequently, the above-described first type of scrubber is not optimized for dealing with various types of floors and various kinds and amounts of dirt and debris. Instead, this first type of scrubber simply puts down whatever cleaning solution (defined in the first type of scrubber as fluid that flows from the onboard fluid tank) is in the onboard fluid tank regardless of the floor type or debris encountered. As a result, it has been found that this first type of scrubber is ineffective and inefficient at cleaning floors.

Further, even if the operator recognizes that a particular floor or a particular dirt/debris problem on a floor requires a different cleaning approach or cleaning solution, the operator may have to empty the entire onboard fluid tank so that a proper overall cleaning solution can be attained. It can be readily appreciated that emptying the entire onboard fluid tank wastes cleaning chemicals, fluid, operator time, and undesirably takes the scrubber out of service.

On the other hand, some operators may recognize the need for a different cleaning chemical ratio in the onboard fluid tank for a particular cleaning problem and thereby may try to increase or decrease the cleaning chemical ratio by further adding water or a cleaning chemical to the onboard fluid tank. It has been found, however, that many times the operator's calculation for increasing or decreasing an overall cleaning chemical ratio of a cleaning solution in the onboard fluid tank is incorrect or is made too casually. This results in wasted cleaning chemicals and an inefficient cleaning method.

In a second type of scrubber, cleaning chemical metering systems are utilized to draw a cleaning chemical from a separate chemical container and combine it with clean water as the water flows out of the onboard fluid tank, where an overall cleaning solution for the second type of scrubber is defined as the combination of the cleaning chemical with the fluid from the onboard fluid tank.

There are numerous disadvantages associated with the current known designs for this second type of scrubber. For example, when the chemical metering system is activated, it only permits fluid (e.g., water) to be drawn from the onboard fluid tank at a single, fixed rate. Since some cleaning circumstances call for increased or decreased fluid flow, this is a disadvantage. Further, the chemical metering system makes it difficult to change a type of cleaning chemical and a rate at which the cleaning chemical is drawn from the separate chemical container.

For example, one design of this second type of scrubber locates a means for changing a rate change of fluid being drawn from the onboard fluid tank at the front of the scrubber, while the operator's station is at the rear of the scrubber. This same design also requires the use of specially designed chemical containers that are only available from the manufacturer of the scrubber, which have their own signaling means to alert the operator of level/amount of cleaning chemicals remaining in the chemical containers. These specially designed chemical containers add to the expense of the system and do not permit an operator to use chemical containers from other suppliers that may be less expensive and equally, if not more, effective.

It would, therefore, be preferable for a scrubber operator to have the opportunity to tailor not only the type of cleaning fluid to be used on a particular floor, but also to tailor the type, amount, and/or concentration of the selected cleaning chemical to be combined with the fluid from the onboard fluid tank and to permit the operator to do so from a convenient location. It would also be preferable that the overall cleaning solution concentration (i.e., the overall combination of the cleaning chemical with the fluid) be easily selectable so that the cleaning chemical and time are both optimized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A chemical distribution system for an automatic floor scrubber, which has a body portion mounted on a set of wheels, comprises the following elements. A fluid tank contains a fluid solution and has a fluid tank line. A valve control has a valve control line. An adjustment valve is connected to the fluid tank line and is also connected to the valve control line. The adjustment valve also has a valve fluid line.

At least one chemical container is disposed on or within a floor scrubber body portion, where the chemical container contains a cleaning chemical solution and has a chemical container line connected to the chemical container. A chemical pump is connected to the chemical container line and the chemical pump has a chemical pump line. A pump control has a pump control line electrically connected to the chemical pump and the pump control also has a flow meter feedback line. A tee has a first port that is connected to the valve fluid line, a second port is connected to the chemical pump line, and a third port is connected to a tee line.

A flow meter is connected to the tee line. Also, the flow meter is connected to the flow meter feedback line, so as to be connected in a closed feedback loop to the pump control and the chemical pump. Further, the flow meter is connected to at least one outlet line to distribute a combination of the fluid solution and the cleaning chemical solution to pads and/or a floor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description when considered in light of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a three dimensional perspective view of a first embodiment of a floor cleaning scrubber in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a chemical distribution system of the floor cleaning scrubber of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a three dimensional perspective view of a second embodiment of a floor cleaning scrubber in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic of a chemical distribution system of the floor cleaning scrubber of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts. Hence, specific dimensions, directions or other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless expressly stated otherwise.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a first embodiment of a floor cleaning machine 10, with a chemical distribution system 20, utilized with the present invention. The floor cleaning machine 10 of FIG. 1 is an automatic floor scrubber but the present invention is not limited to floor scrubbers. Instead, the present invention maybe used with any floor cleaning machine known to those skilled in the art.

The automatic floor scrubber 10 is constructed of a body portion 12 mounted on a set of wheels 14 (one or more not shown but common in the art) that permits the body portion 12 to be moved over a floor F. Machine controls 16 are provided for an operator to turn the machine 10 on and off, to steer and control the speed of the machine 10 and monitor machine performance, among other functions provided by automatic scrubbers in general. The machine controls 16 are provided at a rear portion 18 of the machine 10, where the operator is located.

In general, the flow of fluids 22, 24, 24 a-n, 26, 26′ throughout FIGS. 1-4 is shown with solid arrow-headed lines 28, 28 a-n, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 that indicate the direction of fluid flow. Specifically, regarding the fluid flow depicted in the first embodiment 10, a fluid tank 44 is provided forward of the operator in the body portion 12. The fluid tank 44 may hold water or a fluid solution. While either water or fluid solution may be used, for simplicity, the remainder of the description will use the term fluid solution 22.

The fluid solution 22 flows out of the fluid tank 44 via gravity, or may be drawn out by a pump (not shown). Subsequently, the fluid solution 22 is combined with a chemical solution 24 to result in an overall cleaning solution 26. The overall cleaning solution 26 is then sprayed or distributed by the floor outlet line 42 directly onto the floor F as shown, or by respective outlet lines 34, 40 to floor cleaning pads 46, 48, via one or more nozzles (not shown). As a result, the floor cleaning pads 46, 48 scrub the overall cleaning solution 26 on the floor F surface to clean the floor F.

Further to the construction of the scrubber 10, one or more motors 50 may be located in the body portion 12 as well. The motors 50 power drive systems (not shown) that move the machine 10 over the floor F. One such drive system may have an electric motor powered by one or more batteries (not shown), which would also be located in the body portion 12. The motor 50 is connected to various controls and functioning parts and is electronically linked to the machine controls 16. The motor 50 may be physically linked to the wheels 14 so that the operator can control the scrubber 10 at the desired speed over the floor F.

The same motor 50, or different motors located in the body portion 12, may rotate the floor cleaning pads 46, 48. The pads 46, 48 may be located at a forward portion 52 of the body portion 12, although other locations are permissible. The pads 46, 48 are readily replaceable, as they wear out over time with use. Therefore, different pads 46, 48 can be used for different floor surfaces F and different cleaning circumstances.

The body portion 12 also supports a recovery tank 54. The recovery tank 54 is connected to a vacuum system (only partially shown). The vacuum system, which may be powered by the motor 50, vacuums an overall cleaning solution 26. Once the overall cleaning solution 26 has been worked into the floor F, it typically contains debris that is undesirable to leave on the floor F, and it is undesirable to leave the floor F wet because it is slippery.

Hence, the vacuum system draws cleaning solution from the floor F into the recovery tank 54. The recovery tank 54 can then be emptied in a preferred location at the operator's convenience.

One or more squeegees 56 may be used to direct and collect the cleaning solution from the floor F. The squeegee(s) 56 is typically located at the rear portion 18 of the machine 10 and positioned against the floor F to wipe the floor F of any excess cleaning solution 26 that then contains debris and other contaminants.

FIG. 1 further depicts a container receptacle 58 in the forward portion 52 of the body portion 12. In the depicted embodiment 10, the container receptacle 58 is attached to or formed at least partially within the outer surface 68 of the scrubber 10. Therefore, a portion of the volume of the solution tank 44 is reduced approximately by the volume of the container receptacle 58. This is not problematic, however, because the volume of the solution tank 44 is large and the volume taken up by the container receptacle 58 is relatively small in comparison.

The container receptacle 58 may be a separate component that is attached to the body portion 12 or it may be integrally formed, one-piece and unitary with the body portion 12. In the depicted embodiment 10, the container receptacle 58 is a separate component that is attached to the body portion 12 with mechanical fasteners 59, like screws that are common in the art. Other means, in addition to or separately from mechanical fasteners, may be utilized as well.

The container receptacle 58 preferably comprises a five sided holding device with four sides 60 and a bottom surface 62 connected to the sides. It is preferred that the sides 60 and bottom surface 62 are fluid tight, since on the other side of the sides 60 and bottom surface 62, there is the fluid solution 22 of the fluid tank 44.

Preferably, the top 64 of the container receptacle 58 is open so that removable chemical containers 66 of solution can be easily added or removed from the receptacle 58. It is within the scope of the present invention for the container receptacle 58 to have a top cover (as shown in FIG. 3 where the covers are lids 64 a-n and where removable chemical containers 66 can be placed, quick-connected 70, and removed as needed) that is selectively openable and/or for the sides of the container receptacle 58 to extend above the outer surface 68 of the body portion 12.

The container receptacle 58 depicted in FIG. 1 is substantially rectangular in cross-section. The present invention, however, is not limited to this particular shape. Instead, the container receptacle 58 maybe of any cross-section, including, but not limited to, circular or any polygonal shape.

A standard removable chemical container 66 is depicted as being partially located in the container receptacle 58. Preferably, the container receptacle 58 is of a predetermined depth so as to maintain the removable chemical container 66 securely during operation of the machine. It is also preferred that the container receptacle 58 has sufficient depth so that the removable chemical container 66 sits low enough on the machine 10 so as not to interfere with the operation, including storage, of the machine 10. It is also within the scope of the present invention for the removable chemical container 66 to reside entirely within the container receptacle 58, like the internal chemical containers 66 a, . . . , n depicted in FIG. 3.

A quick connect connection 70 is provided on an end 72 of a chemical container line 28. The connection 70 may be such as a male-female coupling or a threaded connection that permits the chemical container line 28 to be easily and yet securely connected to the removable chemical container 66. Preferably, the chemical container line 28 extends beyond the connection 70 and into the removable chemical container 66, as shown by the dashed line extending into the removable chemical container 66 that is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Specifically, the various lines 28, 30, 32, 34, 66, 38, 40, 42 indicate the flow of the fluid solutions 22 (associated with lines 32, 36), 24 (associated with lines 28, 30), 26 (associated with lines 34, 38, 40, 42) through the chemical distribution system 20.

This arrangement permits almost any known floor removable chemical containers 66 to be used with the present invention at any time. For example, an operator may begin with one removable chemical container 66 for one floor area F. During cleaning, the operator may determine that a different solution is required based on a different floor type and/or different dirt or debris encountered. The operator may remove the original removable chemical container 66 from the container receptacle 58, disconnect it from the chemical container line 28, connect a different removable chemical container (not shown) to the chemical container line 28, locate the removable chemical container 66 in the container receptacle 58 and continue cleaning. It can be appreciated that the removable chemical container 66 could first be located the in the container receptacle 58 and then a different removable chemical container could be connected to the chemical container line 28.

It can also be appreciated that multiple containers 66 located in separate container receptacles 58, each of which could have a different removable chemical container 66 with a different cleaning chemical therein, could be located in the machine 10. These individual receptacles 58 would be similar to those illustrated in FIG. 3 (see internal containers 66 a-n). In any case, the different cleaning chemical solutions 24 or 24 a-n (FIG. 3) can be immediately used by the machine 10.

The chemical container line 28 extends from the quick connect connection 70 rearwardly from the container receptacle 58. In the depicted embodiment 10, the chemical container line 28 extends into the body portion 12 rearwardly to the rear portion 18. The chemical container line 28 may be a single continuous line or it may comprise a plurality of lines 28 a, b, . . . , n connected together as discussed later for a second embodiment 10′ and illustrated in FIGS. 3-4.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate that the chemical container line 28 is preferably connected to a chemical pump 74. The pump 74 may be located anywhere in or on the body portion 12. It has been found, however, that it is convenient to locate the chemical pump 74 at the rear portion 18 in the operator's area so that the pump control 76 for the chemical pump 74 are within easy reach. The pump control 76 permits the operator to request particular amounts of chemical solution 24, in order to establish a ratio of chemical solution 24 over fluid solution 22, from the removable chemical container 66 by setting the pump 74 at a particular pumping rate. The pump 74 may be tied into the machine control 16 for additional coordination between machine functions and the chemical pump 74, as well as for electrical power.

The chemical pump 74 may be any fluid pump, such as, but not limited to, bellows, centrifugal, diaphragm, drum, flexible liner, gear, manual or hand, piston, rotary lobe or vane, or peristaltic.

A chemical pump line 30 extends from the pump 74. As shown in FIG. 1, the chemical pump line 30 extends within the body portion 12 of the machine 10. However, whether the chemical pump line 30 travels within or on the body portion 12, it is not critical to the function of the invention. Although other fluid connection means may be used, preferably the chemical pump line 30 is connected to a first port of a tee 78. It should also be noted that, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 3, the various items and their associated control lines (e.g., items 74, 76, 78, 86, 94 and lines 28, 30, 32, 36, 38, 88, 90, 92) are shown to be within various parts of the body portion 12. However, the present invention is not limited to the placement of these items and associated lines within or on the body portion 12.

The fluid tank line 36 from the fluid tank 44 is connected to the input side of an adjustment valve 80, which is controlled by way of a valve control line 82 from a valve control 84. The valve control line 82 may be electrically, mechanically, or manually controlling. The output side of the adjustment valve 80 is connected to a valve fluid line 32 which is connected to a second port of the tee 78.

As a result of the two incoming connections to the tee 78, the fluid solution 22 flows from the fluid tank 44 through to the second port of the tee 78 by gravity or a fluid pump (not shown). Then, in the tee 78, the chemical solution 24 from the chemical container 66 combines with the fluid solution 22 from the fluid tank 44 to result in the overall cleaning solution 26 that flows from the third port of the tee 78, by way of the tee line 38. In turn, the tee line 38 is connected to a flow meter 86.

The flow meter 86 may be of any known design for determining fluid flow through a fluid line. The flow meter 86 is used to communicate an open loop feedback flow rate through the tee line 38, by way of a flow meter feedback line 88, to the pump control 76 and then by way of a pump control line 90 to the chemical pump 74. Also, the flow rate through the tee line 38 can be communicated, preferably electrically, to an operator by way of a flow display line 92 that is connected to a flow display 94 that is visible by the operator who, as mentioned earlier, is located at the rear of the scrubber 10.

The flow meter 86 is then connected to various means of distributing the overall cleaning solution 26 to the floor F so as to clean the floor F. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the flow meter 86 distributes the overall cleaning solution 26 to at least one outlet line 34, 40, 42 for distribution to right and left pads 46, 48 and/or directly to the floor F. Subsequently, the pads 46, 48, which are respectively attached to the scrubber 10 by way of right and left hubs 96, 98 on which they are mounted, contact the floor F for scrubbing. The above-mentioned vacuum system of the machine 10 is then used to collect the resulting dirt and debris laden solution from the floor F and transport this dirt and debris laden solution to the recovery tank 54.

FIGS. 3-4 illustrate the second embodiment 10′ of an automatic floor scrubber. The floor scrubber 10′ is much the same as that of the first embodiment 10, except that this second embodiment 10′ is configured to have at least two internal chemical containers 66 a-n with individual chemical container lids 64 a-n that respectively cover the chemical containers 66 a-n, wherein each chemical container 66 a-n can have a separate chemical solution 24 a-n therein and each chemical container 66 a-n is separately and selectively connected 28 a-n to the chemical pump 74. Illustrated are any number (n) of individual internal chemical containers 66 a-n that may be contained within the body portion 12. As a result of this configuration, the tee 78 would combine any combination of the chemical solutions 24 a-n with fluid solution 22 to result in an overall cleaning solution 26′, as shown in FIG. 4.

The flow of the fluid solution 22 and chemical solutions 24, 24 a-n, the setting of the ratio of chemical solutions 24, 24 a-n over fluid solution, and the pumping rate of overall cleaning solutions 26, 26′ is provided by the chemical pump 74 in conjunction with the flow meter 86 and pump control 76, which are in a closed feedback loop. These functions are provided to the scrubber operator at the rear portion 18 of the scrubber 10, 10′ which makes it convenient for the operator.

Also, even though the placement of the containers 66, 66 a-n is shown located in the front 52 of the machines 10, 10′, it can be appreciated that these containers 66, 66 a-n could be located anywhere (for example, in the rear 18 or on the sides) in much the same manner as that described for the front portion 52 of the body portion 12. The location selection would depend on scrubber design-wise considerations or if the location would provide operational convenience to the operator. In any case, the containers 66 a-n could be integrally formed, one-piece and unitary with the body portion 12.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiments. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A chemical distribution system for an automatic floor scrubber having a body portion mounted on a set of wheels comprising: a fluid tank containing a fluid solution and having a fluid tank line; a valve control having a valve control line; an adjustment valve connected to said fluid tank line and connected to said valve control line, said adjustment valve having a valve fluid line; at least one removable chemical container on a floor scrubber body portion, said removable chemical container containing a cleaning chemical solution and having a chemical container line connected at one end to said chemical container; a chemical pump connected at another end of said chemical container line and having a chemical pump line; a pump control having a pump control line electrically connected to said chemical pump and having a flow meter feedback line; a tee having a first port connected to said valve fluid line, a second port connected to said chemical pump line and a third port connected to a tee line; a flow meter connected to said tee line and connected to said flow meter feedback line so as to be connected in a closed feedback loop to said pump control and to said chemical pump, and said flow meter connected to at least one outlet line to distribute a combination of said fluid solution and said cleaning chemical solution to pads and/or a floor.
 2. The chemical distribution system of claim 1, wherein said chemical container line is removably connected by a quick-connect connection at said one end to said chemical container.
 3. The chemical distribution system of claim 1, wherein said valve control line is electrically, mechanically, or manually controlling.
 4. The chemical distribution system of claim 1, further comprising a container receptacle wherein said removable chemical container is located within said container receptacle.
 5. The chemical distribution system of claim 4, wherein said container receptacle is integrally formed, one-piece and unitary with said body portion of an automatic floor scrubber.
 6. The chemical distribution system of claim 4, wherein said container receptacle is a separate component attached to said body portion of said automatic floor scrubber with mechanical fasteners.
 7. The chemical distribution system of claim 1, further comprising multiple container receptacles each having a removable chemical container located therein.
 8. The chemical distribution system of claim 1, wherein said pump control communicates a ratio of chemical solution over fluid solution and a pumping rate to said chemical pump by way of said flow meter and wherein said chemical pump is located on a rear portion said floor scrubber body portion.
 9. A chemical distribution system for an automatic floor scrubber having a body portion mounted on a set of wheels comprising: a fluid tank containing a fluid solution and having a fluid tank line; a valve control having a valve control line; an adjustment valve connected to said fluid tank line and connected to said valve control line, said adjustment valve having a valve fluid tank line; at least two internal chemical containers in a floor scrubber body portion, said internal chemical containers connected to separate chemical container lines and containing separate cleaning chemical solutions; a chemical pump connected to each of said separate chemical container lines and having a chemical pump line; a pump control having a pump control line electrically connected to said chemical pump and having a flow meter feedback line; a tee having a first port connected to said valve fluid line, a second port connected to said chemical pump line and a third port connected to a tee line; a flow meter connected to said tee line and connected to said flow meter feedback line so as to be connected in a closed feedback loop to said pump control and to said chemical pump, and said flow meter connected to at least one outlet line to distribute a combination of the fluid solution and said cleaning chemical solution to pads and/or a floor.
 10. The chemical distribution system of claim 9, wherein said valve control line is electrical, mechanical, or manual.
 11. The chemical distribution system of claim 9, further comprising at least two container receptacles wherein said chemical containers are located within respective said container receptacles.
 12. The chemical distribution system of claim 11, wherein said container receptacles are integrally formed, one-piece and unitary with a body portion of an automatic floor scrubber.
 13. The chemical distribution system of claim 11, wherein said container receptacles are separate components attached to a body portion of an automatic floor scrubber with mechanical fasteners.
 14. The chemical distribution system of claim 9, wherein each of said container receptacles has a removable chemical container located therein.
 15. The chemical distribution system of claim 9, wherein said pump control communicates a ratio of chemical solutions over fluid solution and a pumping rate to said chemical pump by way of said flow meter and wherein said chemical pump is located on a rear portion said floor scrubber body portion. 